Feng Ran didn't know what Li Yuncheng found so amusing. She didn't think anything was particularly funny. In fact, she felt she hadn't done anything at all. What exactly did he find so comical?
Feng Ran's hands trembled. At that moment, she even began to regret her actions.
She even wanted to scold herself for being so useless.
How could she fail to accomplish such a simple task?
"Young Master Li, I apologize. I... I don't know what I should do."
Feng Ran's flustered voice echoed hoarsely. The cup Li Yuncheng had been toying with fell to the ground, shattering into pieces. His heart, which had been dormant for years, seemed to start beating at that moment.
She was unlike everyone else at Chun Manyuan.
With such a move, anyone else could have done it with ease, yet she simply couldn't.
Li Yuncheng's eyes flickered, filled with guilt and self-reproach. He had told Feng Ran that he could cure her poison, but in reality, he couldn't.
After returning that day, he had diligently researched the poison on Feng Ran, but he couldn't find a way to cure it.
He had flipped through all the ancient medical texts but found no antidote.
He couldn't even believe it himself, shutting himself away, yet he couldn't find the origin.
Earlier, when he told Feng Ran he could cure her poison, it was merely a casual remark.
Seeing Feng Ran willing to do anything to survive, he felt a pang of discomfort.
Li Yuncheng's gaze remained fixed on Feng Ran, never leaving her.
After a long while, he slowly spoke, "Feng Ran, there's no rush."
It was rare for Li Yuncheng's conscience to stir, for him to say such words to Feng Ran.
Ordinarily, such words were very difficult to hear.
If outsiders heard this, they would probably think Li Yuncheng had gone mad.
"Did you not consider, just now, that perhaps what I said was actually to coax you?"
"Feng Ran, do you believe what someone says so easily?"
"Or is it only my words that you believe so readily?" Li Yuncheng's eyes flashed with an unusual light.
Feng Ran: "..."
Hearing Li Yuncheng's words, Feng Ran hesitated, her eyes full of confusion.
She didn't quite understand what Li Yuncheng was saying.
"Young Master Li, you are indeed good at joking."
"If you cannot cure this poison, then perhaps no one in this world can."
Feng Ran said calmly.
Whether she truly believed Li Yuncheng's words when she said this was unclear. However, speaking these words did bring her some comfort, that was certain.
"Young Master Li, your medical skills are praised by everyone, so naturally, I believe you."
"Furthermore, I have nothing of value for Young Master Li to scheme against, so you wouldn't have said such coaxing words."
Li Yuncheng frowned slightly, but with a hint of guilt, he said, "You believe me that much?"
"Yes."
Feng Ran nodded, her words filled with determination.
Initially, she knew nothing about Li Yuncheng. Later, those people constantly troubled her, precisely because Li Yuncheng and Ling Chi Yuan had appeared by her side. Because of this, those people would always mock and speak to her about them, and so, she had unknowingly learned everything.
Thinking back, she was truly grateful for their "trouble," which allowed her to clearly understand their "background," wasn't it?
At least, she knew their strength.
Feng Ran's lips curved into a self-deprecating smile. In the past, she had been so unwilling to interact with these people, but now, she had no choice but to seek their help.
Perhaps this was fate; she had no other options left.
Feng Ran crouched down and began to pick up the shattered pieces on the ground, one by one.
"Young Master Li, whatever you want, just say it directly. As long as I can do it, I will do my best."
Feng Ran was truly at her wit's end.
She couldn't even learn to flatter others.
But she desperately needed Li Yuncheng's help.
"Young Master Li, let me play a zither piece for you." This was her forte, and the only thing she could offer.
Li Yuncheng was startled at first, seemingly not expecting Feng Ran to make such a request. However, since Feng Ran had proposed it, he naturally had to grant her wish.
Li Yuncheng nodded.
Feng Ran sat before the ancient zither. The moment her fingers landed on the strings and began to pluck them, a string snapped. Feng Ran's finger was also injured as a result.
She quickly grabbed a handkerchief, tightly pressing it against the wound, trying to stop the blood from flowing.
"I apologize, Young Master Li. It's my poor zither skills that caused this."
"You think this is your fault, and haven't suspected that someone might have tampered with your ancient zither?"
Feng Ran shook her head. Enduring the pain in her finger, her voice trembled slightly as she said, "No one would harm me; it's truly just my poor zither skills that caused this."
Li Yuncheng did not continue to argue with Feng Ran. Instead, he carefully tended to her wound.
Initially, Feng Ran was unwilling. But Li Yuncheng held her hand tightly, showing no intention of letting go.
As Feng Ran struggled, trying to pull her hand away, Li Yuncheng said, "If you don't want your hand anymore, you can struggle and pull it free."
Upon hearing this, Feng Ran's expression changed drastically. Her gaze fell upon the ancient zither, and she seemed to recall something.
A bitter smile touched her lips.
So, these people really couldn't stand her?
As soon as they had an opportunity, they wanted to ruin her?
She had never intended to compete with them for anything; she just wanted to live well.
She had never thought about anything else.
Yet, those people had never intended to let her go from the very beginning.
In fact, with things as they were, she truly had to resign herself to fate.
Feng Ran finally complied obediently. Li Yuncheng did as he pleased, and she didn't utter a word.
Li Yuncheng offered no further explanation, quietly watching as he inspected the ancient zither.
Li Yuncheng was right; the ancient zither was indeed poisoned.
However, it was impossible to know who had administered the poison. This place was crowded and complex; it was impossible to find the perpetrator.
"What do you intend to do?" Li Yuncheng looked at Feng Ran, seemingly waiting for her to make up her mind.
"Intend?" Feng Ran stood up, looking at the ancient zither. Her hand, through the handkerchief, gently stroked the instrument, her eyes filled with desolation and sorrow as she said, "Let's just let this matter go."
"Why? Don't you want to find the person behind this?" Li Yuncheng looked at the person before him, confused.
Li Yuncheng was somewhat curious. Why was her reaction so calm?
This was almost irrefutable evidence; she should be confronting those people.